Architect and Builder June 2020 | Page 29

SECTION PERSPECTIVE With that said, technology is either hindered or enhanced by the design and planning of the building’s architecture. Aevitas made a conscious decision to focus on designing a building that put flexibility and adaptability at its core. In this respect the planning works harmoniously with the technology and equips Deloitte to respond to a fast and ever-changing global environment. Landscape Architecture From the outset, the building’s large ground floor podium provided an opportunity to develop exciting spill-out spaces associated with the multiple openings in its completely transparent façade, which allows the landscape to be enjoyed from inside the building as well as outside it. On the ground floor podium there are six main outdoor spaces packed close to the building. These six spaces define Deloitte’s landscape design. The three oval spill-out spaces east and west of the building feature granite planters filled with a varied array of plants. Large evergreen trees combined with a variety of shrubs are almost within touching distance of boardrooms and offices, inviting employees out of the building and into the landscape furnished with modified wood benches and decks for comfortable informal gathering. The canteen area spill-out space extends the building’s canteen out into the landscape. Lots of deck space for restaurant style eating outside, oval planters at seating height and an outdoor pizza oven provide a functional yet enjoyable eating space surrounded by large trees standing in lush beds of shrubs. The southern contemplation space features a truly beautiful long curved seating wall with custom tapered concrete copings on which building employees can sit and enjoy spectacular views of the Johannesburg skyline to the south. The stars of the planting mix here are the large Erythina lysistemon trees nestled in the curves of the seating wall and framed by agapanthus species, ornamental grasses, and sedges. Two oval grass mounds with straight timber clad benches situated in the flat space between the seating wall and the building façade add to the visually inviting character of this space, especially when looked at from inside the building. The northern contemplation space is a biodiversity garden with all-seasons evergreen lawn and straight timber clad benches providing a contrasting foreground to three bio-diversity mounds. Each mound contains plants from a different biome. One mound features sedges, another features fynbos, and the last one features highveld grasses. A meandering pathway bordered by a beautiful curved seating wall wraps behind the mounds, separating them from the veld grass landscape situated furthest from the building. Waterfall City Deloitte’s landscape successfully achieves water sensitive design. The water wise indigenous plant palette is irrigated with storm water harvested from the building roof and with harvested basement seepage water. 3D VIEW Deloitte 29